WE CAN BE HEROES (for more than one day) – Twenty great games of 1977-78

[email protected] September 30, 2022

If on occasion your genial host here at SAMTIMONIOUS.com has to think hard (and write reams) in creating, admittedly sometimes tenuous links between English football and rock music through the 1970s, then 1977 does appear a gift – an open goal so to speak.

At the time Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd were vying with each other as the most successful rock band on the planet. But as the year unfolded, they were also prominent when it came to vilification being dished out by an emerging wave of young, disaffected punk bands and an increasingly antsy music press – both of whom despaired at the self-satisfied, often grandiose albums being made by rock stalwarts such as the aforementioned along with the likes of Elton, Yes, Rod and Queen.

In a year when Floyd and Zeppelin, both long established titans of 70s rock, each released a new album that sold by the truck load, the most obvious football parallel of the time is Liverpool and Manchester United, (the two biggest clubs in England), ending the 1976-77 season by winning the league and FA Cup – the reds of Anfield completing a notable double by also lifting the European Cup.

With Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, after periods of relative inactivity, returning to the forefront of the music scene and the major football prizes on display at Anfield and Old Trafford, even allowing for the fact United had just won their first major trophy in eight years, there felt a natural order to things. Throw in enthusiastic nationwide celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and England regaining the Ashes, then life could not seem any less complicated.

Yet if anything it was calm before apparent chaos, little change to very strange.

Nine months later, when the curtain came down on a football season of extraordinary fascination and almost fantastical narrative, there were brand new names on the league title and FA Cup. Meanwhile the New Musical Express had not produced a paragraph appertaining to Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd that did not contain the word ‘dinosaur‘ as they extolled whippersnapper acts now usurping the rock establishment with music that connected with a young audience – pouring scorn on Page, Plant and co the NME salivated over The Clash, a band who more than most had put the whip and snap into punk.

Even allowing for the acknowledged managerial acumen of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, as the 1977-78 campaign began nobody baulked at the 30-1 odds being offered on newly promoted Nottingham Forest becoming league champions – a last day skin of their teeth promotion with a team of dependable Division Two performers not the stuff of eye-catching accomplishment to cause sleepless nights among the great and good.

But bolstered by a couple of shrewd summer signings, Clough and Taylor negotiated their Forest charges through a tricky start with flying colours before pulling the masterstroke of signing England goalkeeper Peter Shilton from recently relegated Stoke City – the outlay of £270,000 changing the dynamic of their team from novelty leaders in November to authentic champions in April.

Indeed, in November 1977 they began a 42-match unbeaten run (the equivalent of an entire first division season) that stretched to the following October. Their purposeful football, built on a rock solid defence and incisive counterattacks proved so productive not even Liverpool could keep pace – Forest accentuating the point by also winning the League Cup, defeating Bob Paisley’s men in a replayed final at Old Trafford after the sides had played out a Wembley stalemate.

If Forest were not at their most effective beneath the Twin Towers in the initial League Cup Final, Ipswich Town were in defeating Arsenal by the only goal to win the FA Cup – the narrow margin of victory not reflecting an accomplished display of the sort often produced in taking them to the final.

Ironically, in a season that ended with them winning their first major cup competition, Ipswich endured their worst league campaign overseen by manager Bobby Robson since the start of the decade. Nevertheless, his positive approach to the game and gentlemanly manner would stand him in good stead four years down the road when the FA came to decide on the next England manager. Despite blowing hot and cold in the weekly grind of league fixtures, few outside Norfolk or the red confines of North London begrudged them a trophy as just reward for playing enterprising, attractive football on a yearly basis.

On the international stage England realigned under the undemonstrative presence of Ron Greenwood. Taking the reins first as caretaker before the appointment was made permanent four months later in December 1977, the former West Ham boss replaced Don Revie who in clandestine fashion swopped difficult times at Lancaster Gate for Arabian days and nights in heading off to manage the United Arab Emirates national team.

His dash for the desert in the summer of 1977 came at a time when England saw their hopes of 1978 World Cup qualification dangling by a thread. Greenwood was able to achieve a commendable 2-0 Wembley victory over Italy with a performance that ranked as their finest in a competitive fixture during a largely miserable decade for the national team, but it was still not enough to make the draw for Argentina – Italy winning their remaining match to ensure they not England won the group and advanced to South America.

If there was any form of English consolation it came in a 1-0 end of season Hampden Park victory over World Cup bound Scotland – the march of Ally’s army brought to a juddering halt (not for the last time that summer), on this occasion by Ron’s also rans.

But even through such a tumultuous season, as some things seemed scarcely credible others remained remarkably familiar. In the final stretch Liverpool, smarting at being denied the league and League Cup by interlopers from the East Midlands, had the last word in becoming the first English club to retain the European Cup.

May 1978 brought new LPs from those venerable old rock war horses The Kinks and Rolling Stones, while Liverpool became European Champions for the second time.

Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose…..……….

TWENTY GREAT GAMES of 1977-78:

LEICESTER CITY 1 EVERTON 5 (10/9/1977): As a yardstick for the months ahead, each of these sides came away from this early season Filbert Street meeting with their destinies apparently set – Everton on course for a creditable third-placed finish, (while at the time outscoring everyone in the division), the home side never looking likely to stave off relegation.

With 75 Everton topped the goal charts, top scorer Bob Latchford the first striker to net thirty times in a top-flight season since Francis Lee for Manchester City six years before (which was not enough for them to land the championship either).

The finishing prowess of Latchford is underlined when puts the visitors ahead with a smartly struck left foot drive. Dashing winger Dave Thomas then adds a second with Andy King ending all notion of a contest shortly before half-time.

Central defender Steve Sims reduces the deficit early in the second half punishing a mix-up in the Everton rearguard that would be their undoing in the title reckoning – but with another rendition of ‘Bobby Latchford walks on water‘, ringing in his ears from the visiting Evertonians, he strides clear of a Leicester defence seemingly running through quick drying cement, Latchford passing to strike partner Duncan Mackenzie who restores the three-goal advantage.

King nets his second late on to complete the rout as Everton begin a once-a-month habit of scoring five or more that carries on through October and November, but for Leicester more heavy defeats await in what proved a miserable campaign.

ENGLAND 2 ITALY 0 World Cup Qualifier (16/11/1977): And to think this array of talent had been available to England for the previous 18 months. After the honeymoon period of the Revie era ended the national team had frequently lacked purpose and positivity, but after his reign had gone west – or Middle East to be precise – caretaker boss Greenwood approached this must-win World Cup qualifier with remarkable conviction. 

True, Italy had the safety net of a game in hand against Luxemburg three weeks later to repair any damage done on a murky night at Wembley and therefore qualify for the 1978 World Cup Finals. But displaying commendable ambition in team selection by picking young wingers Steve Coppell and Peter Barnes, Greenwood opted for a dynamic line-up that still catered for square pegs in square holes. 

Indeed, even against such combative opposition he decided against a middle of the park enforcer, trusting Ray Wilkins and Trevor Brooking to outwit the Italians – faith that was rewarded when a slick move resulted in captain Kevin Keegan heading England into an 11th minute lead. 

Although two defenders were booked for spiteful fouls on Barnes, it was Keegan who received most of the blatant roughing up which a lenient referee appeared intent on ignoring. Remaining a constant headache to the Italian defence until receiving one himself, the England skipper flattened by a flailing elbow in sending Booking clear to score the second with ten minutes left. 

Ultimately such an encouraging performance counted for nothing in qualification terms as Italy easily won their outstanding fixture, England punished for failings in earlier group matches. Yet in a wider context the victory was not without significance, The FA treating it as a successful audition from Greenwood in appointing him full-time manager the following month. 

ARSENAL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (1/4/1978): While they had not mounted anything that resembled a title challenge, in their second season with Terry Neill at the helm Arsenal were making steady progress, evident in a top six berth and by subsequently reaching the FA Cup Final.

Manchester United meanwhile, following the departure of Tommy Docherty the previous summer for reasons relating to his private life (six weeks after taking the FA Cup to Old Trafford), had yet to find their feet under new boss Dave Sexton – early exits from both domestic cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup compounded by inconsistent league form that saw them anchored in mid-table.

When the two sides met at Wembley the following season, the match became known as the ‘ten-minute FA Cup Final’ due to most of the action taking place in the closing stages, but on this spring afternoon at Highbury good things occur throughout – and where Arsenal are concerned they involve Liam Brady, whose sublime display is topped by a brilliant left-foot volley in front of a rapturous North Bank that restores the lead with twenty minutes left.

Prior to that there have been old school centre-forward goals from Malcolm MacDonald and Joe Jordan, but sadly, the ominous spectre of crowd trouble is the backdrop to plenty of enterprising football. United twice go close to another equaliser after Irish international Brady has scored with such aplomb, but on April Fool’s Day are embarrassed at the back when an unmarked MacDonald heads home his second to secure Arsenal the points with seven minutes left.

SCOTLAND 0 ENGLAND 1 Home International fixture (20/5/1978): After heading for the 1974 World Cup on the back of a comfortable, confidence boosting Hampden Park victory over non-qualifiers England, four years later the scenario was taking the form of a repeat.

Not that Scotland were in obvious need of a boost to their morale, ebullient manager Ally MacLeod making extravagant claims his side were World Cup semi-finalists (at least) in waiting. If that induced laugher of up-the-sleeve variety south of Hadrian’s Wall, few doubted they had a squad of enviable talent – the strength in depth emphasised when Graeme Souness and Bruce Rioch replaced Archie Gemmill and Don Masson with twenty minutes of this hard-fought tussle remaining.

So once again Scotland would be spending their summer on the world stage while the neighbours sat glum-faced in the back garden, but unlike four years before England took the field in cussed and combative mood on facing a wave of Tartan triumphalism.

With Asa Hartford prominent Scotland dominate the ball, England surviving a number of close calls in reaching half-time with their goal intact. As the second half unfolds the home side become increasingly anxious in their efforts to force a breakthrough and seal the South America send-off craved by the Hampden hordes. Despite England breathing more easily, as time slips by neither do they appear likely to score – not until the 83rd minute that is when Scotland goalkeeper Alan Rough drops a cross at the feet of Steve Coppell, who slams home from ten yards to ultimately secure an unlikely victory.

At the final whistle Liverpool team-mates Emlyn Hughes and Kenny Dalglish leave the field together, England captain Hughes smiling broadly, his Scottish Anfield ally not so enamored by events of the afternoon – mutual realisation, perhaps, that after Scotland had proclaimed themselves world champions on beating Alf Ramsey’s title holders in 1967, England, despite not going to the World Cup, could make a claim on being the best side in Britain.

ARSENAL 0 IPSWICH TOWN 1 FA Cup Final (7/5/1978): An entertaining FA Cup Final, full of goalmouth incident and adventurous play – yes, once upon time, such things did happen.

Due to finishing fifth and by virtue of having already qualified for the UEFA Cup, Arsenal went into the game as odds-on favourites to win, their East Anglian opposition having endured a disappointing league campaign when they only avoided relegation by three points.

During a confident opening spell, the bookmakers appeared to have called it right as an experienced Arsenal side live up to their pre-match billing. But on overcoming early nerves Ipswich begin to impose themselves, going close to a breakthrough when striker Paul Mariner hits the bar during a first half that pays little heed to caution.

As their grip on proceedings tightens Scottish midfielder John Wark twice shoots against the woodwork with fellow countryman, full-back George Burley, forcing a brilliant save from Pat Jennings as Ipswich are kept at bay – although at the other end Paul Cooper saves well from Alan Sunderland following a swift Arsenal counterattack.

With thirteen minutes left Ipswich are finally rewarded for their second half dominance, midfielder Roger Osborne shooting low past Jennings to settle a memorable, if sometimes overlooked, 70s FA Cup Final in which Bobby Robson’s side were worthy victors.

The Gunners’ decision to play in their change kit of yellow shirts/blue shorts (despite no colour clash) was presumably made for superstitious reasons after wearing the same ensemble on last winning the trophy in the ‘double’ season of 1970-71 – this being one FA Cup Final superstition of the era not to pay off.

CHELSEA 4 LIVERPOOL 2 FA Cup third round (7/1/1978): In the absence of a headline grabbing upset on third round day, this slaying of the reigning league champions and European cup holders down at the Bridge was the most eye-catching result.

On their return to the topflight Chelsea, results wise, were just about breaking even, a 5-4 win at Birmingham the previous week going someway to counterbalance a 6-2 November drubbing off Manchester City. Liverpool on the other hand, with four wins and a draw in their last five outings had begun to generate the momentum that would surely, in time, wear down the title challenge of Brian Clough’s City Ground upstarts……….

Progress in the FA Cup, however, meets with short shrift in SW6 where England goalkeeper Ray Clemence and international defenders Phil Neal, Emlyn Hughes, Phil Thompson and Joey Jones share an afternoon of collective calamity. Which is not to undermine an exuberant Chelsea display, although the wheels on a memorable victory are set in motion when Clemence is found wanting at his near post by a 16th minute drive from Clive Walker.

Five minutes after half-time Steve Finnieston adds to the lead on finding the visitors defence at sixes and sevens, that is where Chelsea appear to be heading with their goal tally when Tommy Langley pounces on a suicidal back-pass from Neal to extend the lead further. David Johnson pulls one back on the hour but even then, the Liverpool rearguard, normally so difficult to breach, allow Walker all the time he needs to score his second and put the outcome beyond all doubt, a last-minute Kenny Dalglish reply barely noticed by most of the ground who are already in a state of delirium.

Beginning the match with three of their 1970 FA Cup winning stalwarts (Peter Bonetti, Ron Harris and Charlie Cooke) in the team, it would prove the last appearance in a Chelsea shirt of wing wizard Cooke, injury forcing him out of the game after 35 minutes. Yet it was still a fitting farewell for a player who had long delighted crowds at Stamford Bridge (and beyond) with great dribbling skills and crossing ability of the highest order.

Given the season they were having, there was also something recognisable in the way Chelsea lost 5-1 at Coventry the following week, only to beat Ipswich 5-3 on their return to the Bridge a fortnight later. After surprising many with their triumph over Liverpool, Chelsea were themselves victims of an FA Cup shock six weeks later – dumped out of the competition on losing a fifth-round replay at home to second division London neighbours, Leyton Orient.

SPURS 9 BRISTOL ROVERS 0 Division Two (22/10/1977): After beginning the decade with a trophy in each of the first three seasons, the 1970s had unraveled to such an extent in N17 that three years after staging one half of a UEFA Cup Final (Tottenham in this instance losing over two-legs to Feyenoord), White Hart Lane was now playing host to second division football.

Despite beginning the season with six wins from eight matches, a 4-1 reversal at Charlton the previous week prompted manager Keith Burkinshaw to spend £60,000 on Torquay United forward Colin Lee – who three days after making the switch to North London enjoys a sensational debut by scoring four times in this annihilation of a hapless Eastville side.

As Spurs record their highest ever league win, Ian Moores weighs in with a hat-trick while there are goals also for Peter Taylor and Glenn Hoddle – the dazzling skills of Hoddle in a Division Two setting akin to Peter O’Toole leaving Hollywood for a year to perform in local rep.

Playing in the first team for only the third time, Bristol Rovers’ young Welsh goalkeeper Glyn Thomas finds to his cost the streets (or Lane in this case) of London are paved with goals – this Octoberfest of scoring taking on even greater significance when the second division final table came to be displayed the following May.

Finishing level on points with Brighton, Spurs took the third promotion place due to a superior goal difference – of nine.

LIVERPOOL 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 League Cup Final Replay (22/3/1978): It seems somewhat ironic that in reaching the League Cup Final for the first time, Liverpool should meet the side suddenly posing most threat to their domestic supremacy. Just up from Division Two Nottingham Forest were looking down on the first division after hitting top spot in the autumn – also having the temerity to make significant League Cup progress.

Unable to call upon inspirational goalkeeper Peter Shilton, cup-tied due to a first-round appearance for Stoke shortly before his early season move to the City Ground, 17-year-old reserve teamer Chris Woods had played his part in seeing Forest through to Wembley – notions of him being too inexperienced to deal with a star-studded Liverpool attack on the big day dispelled by the string of fine saves that earned his side a replay.

At Old Trafford four days later Woods, displaying sharp reflexes and assured handling, impresses again and while Liverpool once more hold sway, Forest rediscover the goal threat missing at Wembley. This second meeting, an altogether more fractious and feisty affair, is ultimately decided in four contentious second half minutes.

In the 53rd minute John O’Hare is brought down by Phil Thompson close to the edge of the Liverpool penalty area. Awarded a controversial spot-kick, Forest winger John Robertson beats Ray Clemence with the penalty (that proves decisive), referee Pat Partridge then inducing more Anfield ire by ruling out an apparent equaliser, England midfielder Terry McDermott incensed his goal is ruled out due to a debatable handball offence.

In withstanding intense Liverpool pressure, Forest take the initial step in becoming the first side to achieve a League Cup and League title ‘double’ – VAR in this day and age meaning nothing more than Very Aggressive Replay.

MANCHESTER CITY 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (10/9/1977): An early season derby contest that with hindsight offered evidence to where City and United stood in relation to one another.

Both had spent time dominating the back pages during the summer, United sacking manager Tommy Docherty when news broke of his extra-marital affair with the wife of the club physio, an eventuality that took QPR boss Dave Sexton to Old Trafford. City meanwhile had paid a club record £300,000 to Southampton for England striker Mick Channon.

When the sides came to face each other at a suitably damp Maine Road, both were unbeaten having registered four wins and a draw from five matches (United had also shared the Charity Shield with Liverpool). It was City, however, who would maintain their positive start, two goals from former United man Brian Kidd and one by Channon reflecting their overall superiority, a late, long-range effort from Jimmy Nicholl a crumb of comfort for the visitors who otherwise endured a dispiriting afternoon.

For United it would be a campaign of fits and starts, a tenth-place finish representing underachievement by a group of capable, experienced players. In finishing fourth City would again qualify for the UEFA Cup but after coming second in 1976-77 a feeling of one step forward, two back prevailed.

With top scorer Kidd contributing 19 they scored 74 times, 14 more than the season before, but their goals against tally increased by 17 – Tony Book’s team highly entertaining or wildly erratic depending on your perspective.

WALES 0 SCOTLAND 2 World Cup Qualifier (12/10/1977): Being drawn together in European Qualifying Group Seven for the 1978 World Cup meant Wales and Scotland would play other home and away outside the confines of the Home Internationals for the first time.

By the time of this encounter, the penultimate group game, (Wales still having an away fixture in Prague to come), the hosts had some ground to cover when it came to staging the match – the FAW deciding Ninian Park was too reduced in capacity, Wrexham too small, Wembley too costly to hire, so received permission to stage the contest at Anfield; a move that conceded home advantage from the off as among the 52,000 capacity gate it was estimated Scotland supporters outnumbered the Welsh on a ratio of 5 to 1.

On the field, where victory for Scotland would guarantee World cup qualification with a Welsh win maintaining their hopes of making the cut, things are much more even than on the terraces. In front of a Kop designated for Wales supporters but emblazed in tartan, John Toshack brings a superb save from Scottish goalkeeper Alan Rough while at the other end Joe Jordan sees his close-range header cleared off the line.

Things are still finely balanced entering the final quarter hour only to turn on a refereeing decision steeped in controversy. French official Robert Wurtz decides Welsh defender Dave Jones has handled in an aerial contest with Jordan and awards a penalty, the call curious to say the least as clearly it is Jordan’s hand that made contact with the ball – Hurtz seemingly making amends for failing to award Scotland a first-half spot kick when Welsh goalkeeper Dai Davies appears to trip Kenny Dalglish.

After the Welsh protests have finished Don Masson converts from the spot, the road to South America coming into full view for Scotland when Dalglish scores with a glorious header three minutes from time. All this time later the penalty award and result still rankles in the valleys – where a warm welcome is unlikely to be extended to villain of the peace Jordan.

MANCHESTER UNITED 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 (17/12/1977): While there is much to be said for football played with a dash of sparkle and rich in artistic merit, having good players (four or five very good ones in this instance), playing in their rightful positions and doing simple things to a very high standard is an art in itself.

Never has this been more exemplified than when Brian Clough took the method to its highest form at Nottingham Forest in the late-70s and early 80s – their intelligent, disciplined, uncomplicated play bringing that rare feat of a promoted side coming straight up to win the league title, Forest maintaining the strategy (and standards), to such a degree they would conquer Europe in successive seasons.

Widespread attention to what Clough and sidekick Peter Taylor had set in motion came with this nigh-on faultless performance where they expose the home side as an outfit if not lacking in class, then in compatibility and positional common sense.

Having already assumed top spot by the time of this mid-December Old Trafford visit, Forest benefit from a lucky break in taking an early lead when a Tony Woodcock shot hits the post only to rebound into the net off United defender Brian Greenhoff – but football acumen rather than good fortune is the key when they go further ahead, Woodcock shooting home his second following an incisive left-wing raid.

After the break and with United committed to attack in the hope of saving face, Forest show just how devastating they can be on the counter, goals for John Robertson and another from Woodcock not only clinching a resounding win but altering the entire dynamic of the 77-78 season – the perception of Nottingham Forest changing from one-off Christmas Number One act to likely League Champions.

Indeed, even more impressive than the margin of victory at Old Trafford was their complete immersion in playing to their core strengths of precision and purpose – encapsulated in the sublime passes delivered by Archie Gemmill to create the third and fourth goals. Artful you might say.

LIVERPOOL 1 FC BRUGGE 0 European Cup Final (10/5/1978): Such was the heightened level of expectation now pervading at Anfield, Liverpool departed Wembley on retaining the European Cup apparently deflated – a feeling in the camp of not reaching top speed in overcoming the willing, if limited, challenge of FC Brugge.

After taking the notable scalps of Athletico Madrid and Juventus en route to the final, the Belgian champions were not to be underestimated, but had no inclination to contest an open game against Liverpool – who spend the first forty-five minutes in a state of constant attack, Jimmy Case, Alan Hansen and Graeme Souness each denied by acrobatic goalkeeping from Birger Jensen.

The second half follows a similar pattern but cometh the hour cometh the main man onto a nicely weighted pass from Souness – Kenny Dalglish paying back another chunk of the £400,000 fee Liverpool had paid Celtic for his services the previous summer by slotting home over the diving Jensen.

The only difficulty Liverpool have in seeing the match out comes from trouble of their own making, Phil Thompson blocking a shot on the line after an under hit back pass by Hansen had put his side in danger. Otherwise, Bob Paisley’s men defend the trophy without undue alarm – Liverpool not only winning the European Cup in successive seasons but completing a double of sorts over FC Brugge after beating the same opposition in the UEFA Cup Final two years before.

Once again Liverpool were the champion team in Europe, winning a competition that was the sole domain of league champions from across the continent. Who on earth would want to mess with a format like that……

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 FA Cup quarter-final (11/3/1978): Six points clear at the top of the table, unbeaten in 22 games and seven days away from their Wembley showdown against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest turned up at The Hawthorns for this FA Cup sixth round encounter the subject of ‘treble’ talk’ – yet on leaving the conversation had turned to ‘double’ speak.

In truth they play well and for long periods dominate a rousing cup-tie, the excellent Tony Godden much busier than Peter Shilton at the other end. Albion ‘keeper Godden has already made two fine saves when Mick Martin gives the home side a 16th minute lead, Shilton and the Irish international midfield man both looking a touch bemused when his right foot flick from twelve yards drifts into the net.

Unusually for a fixture of this time Forest meet an opponent whose wing play can match that of John Robertson – his fellow Scot Willie Johnston proving a constant threat to the visitors’ backline.

But when Albion go further ahead it does not stem from his touchline trickery, but the pace and finishing prowess of a burgeoning young talent named Cyrille Regis. Reacting first when the ball drops into the Forest half, he races away from trailing defenders before unleashing a fierce low shot Shilton has no hope of saving.

Forest continue to press and often look dangerous, but there is always a sense the day belongs to West Brom and even when Godden is beaten goal line clearances become the way of things. Through a touch of luck and plenty of ability Albion dispose of the form side and with a semi-final place in the bag, the Baggies take on the mantel of genuine cup contenders.

COVENTRY CITY 4 BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 (4/3/1978): Leaving aside for a moment events at Nottingham Forest, there was a huge transformation in fortunes also taking place at nearby Highfield Road – where Coventry City, having narrowly escaped relegation the previous term, were giving visiting defences a thorough going over.

In the home matches leading up to this local derby encounter, the Sky Blues had put five past Norwich, scored three against Manchester United, gone nap in thrashing Chelsea and beaten Liverpool. But if the St Andrews side, not in awful form themselves, had a plan to rein in their free-scoring opponents it was in tatters after thirty seconds – Mick Ferguson making sure the home side were quickly off and thumping.

On his way to a seasonal tally of 17, centre-forward Ferguson – unfortunate not to receive an England call-up during this period – taps in a second after twenty-five minutes, their proficiency as a team in front of goal underlined when John Beck puts Coventry three up before the break.

On the hour Ferguson duly completes his hat-trick (one of three during the season) as Coventry stay on course for a high-placed finish but failing to win of their last five matches will cost them a UEFA Cup spot.

IPSWICH TOWN 3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 FA Cup semi-final (8/4/1978): Those seeking the embodiment of blood, sweat and tears in relation to football need look no further than this Highbury-hosted FA Cup semi-final.

Given the renown both sides had for playing attractive football on paper it looked a fixture to get the blood coursing – but after just eight minutes it was pouring from Brian Talbot and John Wile, the Ipswich midfielder involved in a sickening clash of heads with the Albion skipper when scoring with a diving header to put the Portman Road outfit ahead.

Due to the injury he received Talbot took no further part in the match, but Wile, uncompromising centre-back that he was, chose to carry on even though a bandage failed to stem the flow of blood from a wound quickly giving his yellow and green shirt a red dimension.

Albion appear dazed by it all when they fall further behind on twenty minutes, failure to clear their lines at a corner allowing Ipswich captain Mills to score at close range. Having already accounted for cup holders Manchester United and two other topflight rivals in reaching the last four, West Brom cannot be counted out and with twelve minutes left are back in the contest when Tony Brown scores from the penalty spot.

Despite pre-match talk of Albion repeating their FA Cup triumph of ten years before, (Brown also a member of the team then), the last word goes to Ipswich, Scottish midfielder John Wark securing their first ever trip to Wembley by scoring with a header – ironically in light of what had happened to Wile and Talbot – in injury time.

LIVERPOOL 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (25/2/1978): If the Anfield faithful ever needed convincing the £350,000 paid to Middlesbrough in January 1978 for tenacious Scottish midfielder Graeme Souness was money well spent, it arrived with his exceptional display in this fixture six weeks later.

Perhaps for the first time in a Liverpool shirt, Souness performs the role that would become second nature during his six-year stay – winning the ball, spreading play, driving forward from midfield, the fulcrum on which the team revolve. He also has an eye for goal, opening the scoring with a sumptuous volley that illuminates a rain-lashed Merseyside afternoon.

Sammy McIlroy manages a reply for United but for the most part they are swamped in more ways than one, Ray Kennedy and Jimmy Case converting two from the host of second half chances Liverpool create.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 WEST HAM UNITED 3 (3/9/1977): Sunny day on Tyneside, Geordie folk-rockers Lindisfarne about to return with anthemic hit ‘Run For Home‘ and two sides who rarely failed to entertain. In the present things could not have looked much better, but the portents were about to turn ominous.

Finishing fifth last season, Newcastle had so far sent out mixed messages, an opening day victory over Leeds followed by defeats to Liverpool and Middlesbrough, while West Ham had suffered three straight losses so both had plenty to gain from this slog on the Tyne.

Newcastle seize the initiative with goals in the opening half hour from Micky Burns and Tommy Cassidy, but Billy Jennings pulls one back on the stroke of half-time to give the Hammers renewed hope. Four minutes after the restart 1975 FA Cup Final hero Alan Taylor puts West Ham back on level terms with a typical close-range finish, the match, an exciting if nervy affair for one so early in the season, is then decided by a local – Sunderland-born Bryan ‘Pop’ Robson, a 1969 European Fairs Cup winner with Newcastle but now wearing claret and blue, completes the visitors comeback with a forceful header.

On the afternoon in question there was little to separate the sides, neither would there be come the end of the season, third bottom West Ham finishing one place above Newcastle with both suffering the indignity of relegation – ‘Run For Home‘, however, did finish up in the top ten.

LIVERPOOL 6 HAMBURG 0 European Super Cup Final second-leg (6/12/1977): Oh, the irony. After six seasons spent as ‘King of the Kop‘ Kevin Keegan, on helping Liverpool win their first European Cup in May 1977, joins Hamburg for £500,000 soon afterward, the West Germans having just won the European Cup Winners’ Cup – thus precipitating a two-leg European Super Cup meeting between Keegan’s new club and his previous one. Following a 1-1 November draw in Hamburg, the sides reconvene on a chilly December night at Anfield.

For twenty minutes the match is an even contest, in relation to Liverpool not opening their account that is, but once Phil Thompson commences the scoring, Keegan finds he is now in the domain of ‘King Kenny’ – Dalglish creating the space for Terry McDermott to fire home the second.

After the break things become a constant procession toward the Hamburg goal, McDermott completing a hat-trick either side of a Jimmy Case header. There is something predetermined about the way Dalglish completes the scoring in front of the Kop, who in fairness chant Keegan’s name at the final whistle, which he acknowledges with an appreciative wave.

Bob Paisley reacts to this crushing victory and Liverpool being the first English club to win the European Super Cup with the notion his midfield needs strengthening – deciding a useful player at Middlesbrough named Souness is the answer.

STOKE CITY 2 BLYTH SPARTANS 3 FA Cup round four (6/2/1978): After tumbling out of the topflight the previous season, Stoke found their outlook had not improved much in the reduced circumstances of Division Two. The consequence of a bleak mid-winter was the dismissal of manager George Eastham, the only win managed by a Potters 1972 League Cup winning hero during his last five matches in charge being a third round FA Cup victory over non-league Tilbury.

For his first (and what proved only) game in charge caretaker boss Alan A’Court faced an FA Cup fourth round visit from Northern League Blyth Spartans, the Northumberland side having already played nine matches in reaching this stage.

Following two postponements the tie was played through a Monday night monsoon in the Potteries, the visitors, in taking an early lead through centre-forward Terry Johnson, paying no heed to the reputations of those they faced such as Terry Conroy and Howard Kendall.

Where each side stood on the football ladder was emphasised when Viv Busby and Garth Crooks struck in quick succession to put Stoke in charge, only for things to turn on their head when Steve Carney levelled before Johnson netted again late on to put the part-timers through – creating not only a huge FA Cup shock but setting up the intriguing prospect of Blyth making the short trip to Newcastle (upon Tyne) in round five.

The Magpies, however, failed to oblige by losing a fourth-round replay at Wrexham, yet Spartans were not to be denied their 90 minutes at St James’ Park, which hosted the replay after a 1-1 draw in North Wales – the FA Cup ‘sensation’ story of the season ending in front of a 42,000 crowd as Blyth went down 2-1 in a tight game against the third division promotion chasers.

COVENTRY CITY 0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 (22/4/1978): Unbeaten in 22 league matches, a run stretching back to a 1-0 November defeat at Leeds, Nottingham Forest converged on Highfield Road knowing that with five matches to play a point would secure the title – an outcome that would see Brian Clough repeat the early-60s feat of Sir Alf Ramsey, when he took Ipswich up from Division Two to win the League Championship at the first attempt.

After displaying remarkable consistency through the season, there was never any likelihood of Forest slipping at this stage, but a trip to Coventry was no easy proposition – the side who had scored more on their own patch than any other in the division pitted against the meanest defence.

But in keeping with the previous nine months, it would be the Forest backline who prevailed. On their way to being champions with the fewest number of goals ever conceded (24) by a league title winning side, they duly kept another clean sheet. This one in no small measure down to Peter Shilton, whose magnificent second half reflex save to thwart a Mick Ferguson header was worthy of a medal on its own.

‘I thought we might qualify for Europe, no more‘ said Forest assistant boss Peter Taylor after the game, adding, ‘and that would have been an achievement. But once we signed Shilton I said then bigger things were possible.‘

Shilton had been outstanding, particularly in the game where the title was clinched, but the likes of John McGovern, Larry Lloyd, Kenny Burns (about to be named ‘Footballer of the Year‘) and Ian Bowyer were, to quote the title of a brilliant David Bowie album released late the previous year, also ‘Heroes‘.

And to slightly misquote the Thin White Duke, in light of what Forest were about to achieve, they would be so for more than one day.

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NEIL SAMBROOK is the author of ‘MONTY’S DOUBLE‘ – an acclaimed thriller now available in paperback and as an Amazon Kindle book.